Translation: Word (Microsoft), there are probably errors in the masculine and feminine pronouns.
Chapter 11
As we moved silently through the thick forest, the air grew fresher and the sound of foliage crunched beneath our feet. Moonlight filtered through the branches, guiding us to a spot that seemed to glow in the distance.
Finally, we came to a lake whose surface shone like a silver mirror in the dim moonlight. It was an overwhelming sight, but what caught my attention was not only the natural beauty of the place. In the center of the lake, two figures moved with palpable intensity, their silhouettes reflected in the crystal clear water.
They were a man and a woman, their hair red as fire and their eyes shining as embers. Every gesture, every look they shared, made their connection clear, both by their physical resemblance and by the intensity of their interaction. But more than the obvious passion, it was the identity of these two individuals that captured my attention.
The Goddess of War, Enio.
The God of War, Ares.
Twin brothers, children of Hera and Zeus, fearsome figures of the Olympian pantheon. And there they were, given over to a carnal desire that was always ignited within them.
My partner and I stopped a few steps from the water. As she remained silent, I couldn't help but express my thought with a mixture of indifference:
"I wish you would stop eating each other, you pair of brothers."
My voice cut through the silence like a knife, echoing in the clearing. The twins' movements stopped immediately. Enio turned his head towards me, his eyes burning with a flash of contained fury. Ares, for his part, merely smiled, a dangerous gesture that spoke of his delight at the unexpected interruption.
"It's you." Enio's voice rang out low and defiant in the clearing, but something in his gaze, twisted with fury, began to dissipate as he recognized me. His rigid posture relaxed for just a moment, though the edge of his presence was still there, latent. "I guess you're coming for something."
She was right, as always.
"It's a small thing, something they can do without difficulty." My tone was direct, making it clear that I wasn't there to play with his patience.
"If it's to eliminate a Pantheon, we won't be able to do that. We're not at your level." Ares's deep voice cut through the air with a mixture of mockery and resignation. Despite his tone, his gaze showed a spark of respect—or perhaps well-concealed fear.
"But since you killed our father, Zeus, which, let's face it, was always complete shit... We will complete your order."
Silence fell over the clearing, broken only by the soft murmur of the water and the rustling of the leaves beneath their feet as they both approached. Enio crossed his arms, watching me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.
"Speak. What do you want from us?"
His words were simple, but the intensity in his voice made it clear that he didn't like to be indebted to me, even for something as big as the death of Zeus.
"Don't worry. It's just an easy thing to do."
My answer was accompanied by a broad and almost mocking smile.
❅──────✧❃✧──────❅•
The air in the basement of the church was charged with tension.
Rias, with a firm and determined gaze, launched a direct magic attack. The fiery energy slammed into one of the Fallen Angels, eliciting a cry of pain from him as he fell to the ground, badly injured.
Akeno, without wasting a moment, summoned his lightning magic. The blue flashes lit up the dark space, striking over a wide area and hitting several Fallen Angels at once. Their bodies shuddered violently, immobilized by the discharge for a few precious seconds.
Kiba took advantage of the opportunity. His figure moved with speed and precision, like an unstoppable shadow. With his sword in hand, he pierced through his enemies with lethal and graceful movements, one after another. The perfect combination of technique and ferocity made him a predator in the middle of battle, not giving them a moment to recover.
The remaining Fallen Angels began to retreat, aware that they were being overtaken by the demons' relentless teamwork.
Shirone, with quick and agile movements, launched herself into the attack. His small figure became a barely perceptible blur as his well-aimed blows reached the Fallen Angels as they tried to retreat. Each attack seemed premeditated, demonstrating his lethal precision and impeccable training.
The atmosphere was silent after the last impact. The motionless bodies of the enemies lay on the ground, and the dark basement of the church seemed even colder and desolate.
Rias, observing the result calmly. He summoned a magical circle of a bright red that began to form, expanding and filling the space with its warm glow. It was a teleportation portal.
"Let's go home," Rias said in a firm voice.
The group soon crossed the portal, leaving behind the scene of their victory. In their minds, each one knew that tonight was only the beginning of what was to come.
Elsewhere...
Raynare was furious. Frustration and anger burned inside him like wildfire. He had sent a group of Fallen Angels to infiltrate Kuoh City, a carefully laid out plan to get what he wanted. However, everything had gone terribly wrong.
Before it all came crashing down, he had been in communication with them, listening to reports of their progress. But, suddenly, communication was abruptly cut off. There was no explanation, only silence. Although, before losing the connection, she managed to capture a feminine, serious and authoritarian voice.
Raynare clenched his fists tightly, his mind working quickly. Rias Gremory... or Sona Sitri. It couldn't be someone else. He knew that one of them was behind the intervention, ruining his meticulous plan.
"Shit!" she shouted, slamming hard on the table in front of her, causing the sound to echo through the room. "The Sacred Gear I want to steal is now further away with these ** demons getting in my way!"
His eyes shone with a mixture of anger and determination. He couldn't afford to fail. Stealing the Sacred Gear was crucial to their plans, and now, the demons had raised the stakes.
Raynare took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger, but the shadow of a crooked smile appeared on his lips. "If they want war, they will have it. I'm not going to let them stop me so easily."
❅──────✧❃✧──────❅•
Another day had arrived.
Issei Hyoudou, known for his mind full of evil thoughts and his obsession with beautiful girls, had set a new goal: to conquer the dazzling senior senpai, Kuroka Toujo.
From his perspective, it was a perfect plan. A mysterious beauty like Kuroka was the kind of dream Issei couldn't ignore. However, his previous adventures had taught him that not all girls were as easy to approach as he imagined.
A clear example was her attempt with Izayoi Saigou, Kuroka Toujo's best friend. He thought that being a classmate he would have a certain advantage... but he completely underestimated Izayoi. His audacity to insinuate himself with his typical suggestive comments earned him a devastating blow.
The scene was etched in the minds of those present: Issei flying through the room as if he had been ejected by a cannon, landing unconscious on the ground, while the echo of the impact was lost in the air.
Now, just remembering that experience, a shiver ran down his spine. Since then, he did not even dare to approach Izayoi. The fear and terror were too much for him.
"I better focus on Kuroka... at least she hasn't knocked me out yet," Issei muttered, trying to cheer himself up as he walked through the halls.
But the reality was that Kuroka didn't seem like the type to easily accept the intentions of someone like Issei either. The question was: how long would it take to learn that lesson this time?
The sound of the doorbell announcing lunch echoed throughout the school. Issei Hyoudou took a deep breath, trying to muster up courage as he walked the halls with determination. In his mind, this was his golden opportunity.
Kuroka Toujo, the senpai who had captured his heart (and imagination), was sitting quietly in the school garden, enjoying a cold drink under the shade of a tree. The sunlight highlighted her black hair and golden eyes that, despite her kindness, seemed to look straight through people. To Issei, she was simply divine.
"This time, I won't fail!" he said to himself, though his nervousness was evident in every step he took.
Finally, he stood in front of her, clenching his fists tightly so that they would not tremble.
"Kuroka-senpai... can I talk to you for a moment?"
Kuroka looked up from his drink, smiling slightly. "Sure, Issei-kun. What's going on?"
It was now or never.
"I like you! I want you to be my girlfriend!" he exclaimed suddenly, closing his eyes as if he were preparing for a blow, a scream or, in the worst case, a crushing "no".
However, nothing of the sort happened. When he opened his eyes, he saw that Kuroka was still smiling. But his smile was neither one of acceptance nor of mockery. It was soft, even warm, but loaded with a feeling that Issei didn't want to face.
"Issei-kun, I'm so sorry," he replied kindly, bowing his head slightly in respect. "You're an amazing guy, but... I'm not interested in having a relationship now. I hope you can understand."
Issei felt his heart break into a thousand pieces. His legs seemed to lose strength as he watched as Kuroka gracefully stood up, grabbed his drink, and calmly walked away.
There were no screams, no blows, no dramatic explosions. But that made it even more painful.
Slumping on the grass, Issei looked up at the sky with a mixture of sadness and admiration.
"It's... an amazing woman," he murmured, unable to help but smile at the memory of her gentle smile. "I want to marry someone like that someday..."
A few minutes later, his friends found him lying on the grass, without energy and with a defeated expression.
"Rejected again?" asked Matsuda with a mocking smile. But this time they didn't hit him," Motohama added, trying to look for something positive in the situation.
"Shut up," Issei replied weakly. "I'm still processing my future... with a beautiful woman..."
Finishing his cold drink, Kuroka threw the empty container precisely into the nearest trash can before heading into the hallways of the school building. The murmurs of students talking about classes, activities, and rumors were the backdrop as she stepped forward with light steps, her relaxed and confident aura attracting the gazes of those who passed her.
As he turned into one of the corridors, a familiar figure caught his attention. Izayoi Saigou, her best friend, was checking a bulletin board with some students who were whispering to each other.
"Izayoi!" Kuroka called with a smile, raising a hand in greeting.
Izayoi turned and smiled back. Her purple eyes shone like amethysts under the light of the hallway, and her golden hair fell in soft waves that framed her flawless face. The two years that had passed since Senji's disappearance had further transformed Izayoi's natural beauty, making her stand out even among the most admired girls in the school.
"Kuroka? It was about time you showed up," Izayoi said in his usual tone, a mixture of mischief and confidence.
Kuroka quickly walked over, noting with satisfaction how her friend was still as imposing as ever. However, there was something about Izayoi that made her unique: her natural elegance combined with a wild spark that was rarely seen in the others.
"Why are you checking that board? Thinking of joining a new club?" asked Kuroka, crossing his arms.
"New club? Not crazy," Izayoi replied, rolling his eyes. "I was just seeing if they put something interesting... although knowing this school, I doubt it."
Kuroka laughed, though he couldn't help but notice something. The attention of some passing boys wasn't just on her this time. Izayoi had grown, not only physically but also in presence. Her subtle movements, the swaying of her hair, and the slight movement of her chest whenever she spoke seemed to hypnotize anyone who looked at her, though Kuroka, ever observant, knew she wasn't seeking that attention.
"I see you're being stared at a lot lately, Izayoi," Kuroka commented with a touch of humor, raising an eyebrow.
"Huh? Does that matter?" Izayoi responded with a shrug. Her nonchalant tone was typical, but Kuroka knew that her friend wasn't interested in flirting.
"Well, I'm not surprised. Although, honestly..." Kuroka shot him a knowing look. "You still have less than me."
Izayoi let out a short laugh. "Is that all you have to brag about? How basic, Kuroka."
"Basic or not, we're still the best," Kuroka said with a sneer, placing an arm around Izayoi's shoulders as they continued to walk down the hallway together.
Despite their jokes, the two shared a deep connection that went beyond appearances. They were an inseparable duo, complementing each other with their strengths and flaws. And although the halls of the school seemed full of rumors and trivia, they always found their own way to stand out.
The sun bathed the fields in a warm glow as Kuroka guided Izayoi away from the crowded hallways and bustling classrooms. The two were walking along a dirt path that cut through tall pastures, leaving behind the noise and chaos of the school.
Kuroka was silent, unusual for her. His face, normally carefree, showed a seriousness that caught Izayoi's attention.
"Where are you taking me? This feels more like an excursion than a conversation," Izayoi said with a smile, trying to break the silence.
"It's not something that can be talked about inside the school," Kuroka replied, without turning around. His firm and determined tone made Izayoi raise an eyebrow.
As they advanced, Kuroka felt an unsettling tingle run through his body. Her Nekoshou instinct, always in tune with the energies around her, went off like an alarm. A faint glow appeared fleetingly, almost revealing his true nature.
Izayoi, who was watching intently, smiled with a mixture of curiosity and excitement.
"You are restless," Izayoi said, placing his hands behind his head in a relaxed posture. "That only means one thing: something big is happening."
Kuroka finally stopped in a clearing. His golden eyes glistened in the sun as he turned to Izayoi.
"I felt something... something I hadn't felt in a long time," Kuroka admitted, his tone lower, as if he were sharing a secret. "Two divine presences have entered the city. Its energy is intense, like a fire that burns the air."
Izayoi cocked her head, clearly intrigued.
"Divine presences? How intense?"
"As if the war itself had taken shape," Kuroka replied frankly. "Those two entities are not here to go unnoticed. They are loaded with intention, with violence."
Izayoi closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply as if trying to perceive what Kuroka had felt. Then, he opened his eyes with a spark of excitement.
"Let me guess..." Izayoi said with a wide, dangerous smile. "Gods of War."
Kuroka nodded slowly.
Izayoi chuckled, as if he had just been given the most exciting news of the day.
"So they've decided to come to this city." His amethyst eyes shone with intense fervor. "It's been a long time since I've exchanged blows with someone of his caliber. This could be fun."
Kuroka frowned.
"The city will be wiped off the map if you don't control your strength when facing them, Izayoi. I don't need to remind you what you're capable of when you lose control."
Izayoi paused for a moment, his amethyst eyes flashing with a mischievous gleam, but his smile didn't fade.
"Don't worry, Kuroka. I received training to control my strength. Moreover, they are Gods of War. I am not going to hold back so much; I want to see how much they can take."
Kuroka clicked his tongue in frustration and crossed his arms, his gaze sharp as a dagger.
"That's the problem, Izayoi. Even though you can control your strength, you are still too terrifying a force. And if you decide that this fight is 'fun', you'll end up destroying everything around you. We're not talking about an open field, it's the city!"
"So what?" Izayoi responded with a wider smile, flexing her shoulders as if she were ready for combat.
Kuroka closed his eyes for a moment, trying to contain his frustration. I knew I couldn't reason with Izayoi when he had that attitude.
"Please, Izayoi," she murmured in a softer tone, though her gaze was still heavy with concern. "If you decide to fight, make sure the city is still standing in the end."
Izayoi's smile softened a little, but he didn't lose his confidence.
"Don't worry, Kuroka."
Kuroka sighed. He trusted Izayoi's word, but the city was something else. He had no way of knowing if he would come out of the waves that can be caused by the forces of Izayoi and the Gods.
In the quiet streets of Kuoh, two figures walked side by side. To the naked eye, they might look like normal twins, but the energy they radiated was enough to make anyone around them stay at arm's length.
Ares, with his short, red hair, tousled and unintended to be combed, wore a simple black T-shirt and dark baggy pants that matched his sneakers. His gait was relaxed, but each step conveyed a contained force, as if a volcano were ready to erupt at any moment.
Enio, next to her, shared the same hair color, but wore it long and tied in a high ponytail, with a few curly locks on her head. A voluminous strand fell in the middle of her face, while two long strands descended on either side, brushing her breasts. His outfit was similar to his brother's, although his shirt was a dark red hue that contrasted with his gray pants and white sneakers.
As they walked, the lights on the poles illuminated their identical countenances, but with subtle differences. Ares maintained a serious expression, his eyes burning brightly, while Enio had a light smile on his lips, almost as if enjoying the night walk.
"Then how strong is this girl?" asked Ares, breaking the silence, his tone being direct and blunt.
"They say it's pretty strong," Enio replied with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Izayoi Saigou... His name has been resonating lately, and not because of something insignificant. Even among divine entities, some seem guarded by their strength."
Ares let out a short laugh. "Cautious? Don't make me laugh. If they talk about it so much, it better be worth it. I don't want to have come to this place only to be met with disappointment."
"Patience, brother. If the rumors are true, Izayoi is not someone to disappoint you." Enio turned his head to look at Ares, his red eyes glowing in the dim light. "Also, don't you feel like this could be interesting? A fight that is not against insignificant humans, but against someone who can perhaps withstand our strength."
Ares was silent for a moment, before nodding. "I hope you're right. If not, it will be another waste of time."
They both continued walking, their footsteps echoing in the empty street as the night wore on. Although they hadn't said much, their destiny was clear: to find Izayoi Saigou.
And while the city slept, a battle of epic proportions began to brew in the shadows.